An elderly man was mauled to death by seven dogs earlier this month while walking to a neighborhood store in Texas. Now the owner of those dogs is facing criminal charges, Fox 26 Houston reports.
Around 1:30 p.m. on July 18, 71-year-old Freddy Garcia was walking to a store in Fresno, Texas, when he was attacked by the dogs. A witness called the Bend County Sheriff’s Office to report the incident.
Footage from security cameras shows Garcia walking down a street before the dogs attack him, according to ABC 13 First responders found Garcia and rushed him by helicopter to a hospital in downtown Houston, where he was pronounced dead.
Four of the dogs were captured immediately following the mauling and three dogs were loose for a time before they were caught.
All the dogs are a pit bull mix.
On Friday, police arrested 47-year-old Samuel Cartwright, who is believed to be the owner of the canines.
Cartwright is charged with an attack by a dog resulting in death, a second-degree felony. He remains in custody at the Fort Bend County Jail on a $100,000 bond.
“He was youthful. He was full of life. He liked to dance. He liked to sing. He was really joyful,” Garcia’s granddaughter, Ivon Fajardo, told ABC 13. “We would get together on the weekend and enjoy each other’s company. Now that he’s not here, it’s not going to be the same.”
Fort Bend Sheriff Eric Fagan said in a statement that he is relieved the dogs are off the streets.
“This devastating tragedy didn’t have to happen. I extend my deepest condolences to the Garcia family and his neighbors as they adjust to the loss of Mr. Garcia,” Fagan said in the statement, according to ABC News.
“Special thanks go out to our deputies, Fort Bend Animal Services Director Rene Vasquez, and Fort Bend District Attorney Brian Middleton for the collaborative work of capturing the dogs and making an arrest.”
The investigation remains ongoing. It is not clear what will happen to the dogs.
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[Featured image: Pixabay]
